The Concept of Geography, As a Review for Hartshorne's 'Perspective On The Nature Of Geography '

Abstract

Professor Hartshorne's 'The Nature of Geography ' has been widely read among Japanese professional geographers, since Professor I. Matsui had reviewed and then Dr. S. Nomura had translated it into Japanese. Its contribution was too much to write here, but he felt it necessary to supply deeper considerations.The writer generally agrees with the “Perspective” view and would like to express his concept here. Geography is a highly synthesized science, and its study is based on the active regions which have been formed through times and with intimately related human and physical phenomena. But complete synthesis is almost impossible. It should be strived for, with analyzing, comparing actual regions assisted by topical studies.But there remains several questions, for instance valuation of Fr. Ratzel's work with relation to prerent ecological study. And how we could get a proper seat of geography, as chorological science, among traditionaly divied natural and human or social sciences ?